Polite Ways to Say "Goodbye" in Japanese

For a polite goodbye in Japanese, the most common everyday choice is 失礼します, used when leaving a workplace, a phone call, or someone’s home. The textbook さようなら can sound final or distant, so softer options like では、また are often better.

The most common way

shitsurei shimasu

A polite “excuse me / I’m leaving now” used as a sign-off when departing.

How to say it: Keep the rhythm fairly flat and the final “shimasu” light; English speakers often overstress the first syllable too much.

Other ways to say it

polite, workplace
osaki ni shitsurei shimasu
“Excuse me for leaving before you” — the standard polite goodbye when you leave work before others.
When to use it: Say it to colleagues or superiors when you are the first to leave the office.
polite, friendly
、
dewa mata
“Well then, see you again” — a soft, natural sign-off that is polite without being stiff.
When to use it: Use it with acquaintances, colleagues, or teachers in a friendly but respectful setting.
formal, refined
gokigen'yō
“Good day / farewell” — a refined, somewhat old-fashioned farewell.
When to use it: Use it with someone older or in a formal, genteel context; among friends it can sound theatrical or dated.
workplace
otsukaresama deshita
“Thank you for your hard work today” — commonly used as a goodbye at work.
When to use it: Say it to colleagues at the end of the workday; it is not used with customers.
caring, polite
o ki o tsukete
“Please take care” — said to someone who is leaving or traveling.
When to use it: Use it when seeing someone off, especially if they are going home late or traveling.
very formal
shitsurei itashimasu
A humbler, more formal “I will excuse myself” used as a polished goodbye.
When to use it: Use it in very formal situations, such as leaving a meeting with superiors or ending a formal call.

In a conversation

A
。
osaki ni shitsurei shimasu
Excuse me for leaving before you.
B
。。
otsukaresama deshita. o ki o tsukete okaeri kudasai.
Thank you for your hard work. Please get home safely.

Common mistakes

~~さようなら。~~ → お先に失礼します。
In daily adult or workplace contexts, さようなら can sound final or childish, while お先に失礼します is the normal polite goodbye.
~~バイバイ。~~ → では、また。
バイバイ is fine with close friends, but it sounds too casual with acquaintances, colleagues, or superiors.
~~ごきげんよう。~~ → では、また。
ごきげんよう is very refined and can sound old-fashioned or theatrical in ordinary conversation.